SSG David E. Holeman

SSG David Emery Holeman, 39, of La Harpe, Kansas, passed away on July 19, 1942, in the Philippines. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced that U.S. Army Air Force Staff Sgt. David E. Holeman, 39, of La Harpe, Kansas, who was captured and died as a prisoner of war during World War II, was accounted for on Aug. 23, 2022.

Funeral services for Staff Sgt. Holeman will be at 2:00 p.m. Friday, June 2, 2023, at The First Church of the Nazarene, 3835 County Rd. 3900, Independence, Kansas 67301, with burial to follow in Mount Hope Cemetery in Independence, Kansas.

David was born August 25, 1902, in La Harpe, Kansas, to Albert E. Holeman and Pearl Burress Holeman. He was preceded in death by his mother when he was 18 months of age. Those left who cherish his memory are two nieces, Cynthia Holeman and Barbara Pollock, and a nephew, Ken Holeman.

In late 1941, Holeman was a member of the 17th Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group, when Japanese forces invaded the Philippine Islands in December. Intense fighting continued until the surrender of the Bataan peninsula on April 9, 1942, and of Corregidor Island on May 6, 1942.

Thousands of U.S. and Filipino service members were captured and interned at POW camps. Holeman was among those reported captured when U.S. forces in Bataan surrendered to the Japanese. They were subjected to the 65-mile Bataan Death March and then held at the Cabanatuan POW camp. More than 2,500 POWs perished in this camp during the war.

According to prison camp and other historical records, Holeman died July 19, 1942, and was buried along with other deceased prisoners in the local Cabanatuan Camp Cemetery in Common Grave 312.

To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.webbrodrickchapel.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Webb & Rodrick Chapel and Crematory.